Joe Elliott on DDY and Roboto

[mrbluesman]

Forgive me if this has been discussed before. I did a search and couldn't find it, but, search engines are only as good as the person inputting the query. Just finished a great book called "MTV Ruled The World." by Greg Prato In a chapter called "When Music Video Attacks," several artists discuss music videos that hurt or killed a musician's career. Billy Squier's "Rock Me Tonite" gets the lion's share of discussion. But, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard brings up our favorite lead singer, DDY, as follows:

The poor guys in Styx have got to live with that fu#%ing 'Mr. Roboto' thing for the rest of their lives. They can blame the singer who's gone now. I always hated Dennis DeYoung. I thought he was a complete nob-head. But, the rest of the guys are lovely. Thank God they've got Lawrence [Gowan] in the band now. I mean, I've sat down with Tommy [Shaw] over a cappuccino, and said, 'What the hell were you guys thinking, man? It's just fu#%ing ridiculous. There's no redeeming factors to it at all. Styx were a great band. But grown men wearing robot suits and walking around like a robot .... what the f#%k is that all about? It's more ridiculous than anything we ever did.

Not that I think Joe Elliott is an expert on anything, but, he makes some valid points. I question his stance on Gowan and the fact that Roboto was more ridiculous than anything Def Leppard did, but, other than that ..... Now, I do not personally know DDY or any member of Styx. I have repeatedly said that I fall more on the side of Tommy and JY that DDY but I think Styx was at its absolute best when he was with them. I also think he has more talent in one finger than Gowan has in his whole body. That having been said, I think it's interesting that you've got a rock and roll guy that says what a lot of people around here say, that is, that DDY is an ass. I have always said that the day I stopped listening to Styx was the day I listened to "Kilroy." The Roboto video was ridiculous.

Just to see if maybe time had blurred my memories or my thoughts, I went on YT and watched Roboto again. It really is awful. Not as bad as "Music Time" but awful, nonetheless. For the hell of it, I also watched "Rock Me Tonite" again. The real question there is what the hell was Billy Squier thinking. No wonder that video virtually killed his career (and it was a nice rock and roll song).

[Cassie May]

I would love to know what Tommy's response to Joe was. I've also wondered the same thing, just what the hell were you guys thinking, man?

OT, is that book any good? I've wanted to read it, just haven't found the time yet.

[mrbluesman]

It's a really good book. Made me remember a ton of things about those early days of MTV. Got me feeling very nostalgic and I spent about 2 weeks, while reading it and after reading it, scouring Youtube for all sorts of videos. It's one of those books that consists entirely of quotes/comments from artists, rock critics/writers, the executives that came up with and ran MTV and some of the original VJs (Nina and Alan). It's an eclectic mix of artists that are interviewed. It really was one of those books that I couldn't put down and it pretty much covered every angle of MTV. Even the controversial stuff like breaking the color barrier, etc. Thankfully, it does not get into anything past, say, 86 or so, which is when I quit watching MTV. If you were like me, though, and spent hours watching videos when MTV came out, you'll like the book.

I, too, would love to know what Tommy's response was.

[pinkfloyd1973]

Forgive me if this has been discussed before. I did a search and couldn't find it, but, search engines are only as good as the person inputting the query. Just finished a great book called "MTV Ruled The World." by Greg Prato In a chapter called "When Music Video Attacks," several artists discuss music videos that hurt or killed a musician's career. Billy Squier's "Rock Me Tonite" gets the lion's share of discussion. But, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard brings up our favorite lead singer, DDY, as follows:

The poor guys in Styx have got to live with that fu#%ing 'Mr. Roboto' thing for the rest of their lives. They can blame the singer who's gone now. I always hated Dennis DeYoung. I thought he was a complete nob-head. But, the rest of the guys are lovely. Thank God they've got Lawrence [Gowan] in the band now. I mean, I've sat down with Tommy [Shaw] over a cappuccino, and said, 'What the hell were you guys thinking, man? It's just fu#%ing ridiculous. There's no redeeming factors to it at all. Styx were a great band. But grown men wearing robot suits and walking around like a robot .... what the f#%k is that all about? It's more ridiculous than anything we ever did.

Not that I think Joe Elliott is an expert on anything, but, he makes some valid points. I question his stance on Gowan and the fact that Roboto was more ridiculous than anything Def Leppard did, but, other than that ..... Now, I do not personally know DDY or any member of Styx. I have repeatedly said that I fall more on the side of Tommy and JY that DDY but I think Styx was at its absolute best when he was with them. I also think he has more talent in one finger than Gowan has in his whole body. That having been said, I think it's interesting that you've got a rock and roll guy that says what a lot of people around here say, that is, that DDY is an ass. I have always said that the day I stopped listening to Styx was the day I listened to "Kilroy." The Roboto video was ridiculous.

You either get the concept or you don't, and that certainly doesn't make DDY an asshole because of it. He's admitted in the past that he could be difficult, and that he somewhat dragged them into the whole Roboto thing. It was ahead of it's time back then, before the advent of Tipper Gore's PMRC. Joe Elliot's obviously a fan of the current line up, and that's his bag. I will take his opinion as just that, an opinion.

[mrbluesman]

Oh, I get the concept. It's the execution that I had problems with. I remember back in the 70s when John McKay coached Tampa Bay, after a loss, he was asked by the media what he thought of the team's execution. His response, "I'm all for it." As to Elliott, I agree, his opinion on Styx and the video carries the same weight yours does. I do find it interesting, though, as usually, these rock guys being interviewed try to say the politically correct, or at least, most non-offensive things that they can. He did not.

[Cassie May]

It's a really good book. Made me remember a ton of things about those early days of MTV. Got me feeling very nostalgic and I spent about 2 weeks, while reading it and after reading it, scouring Youtube for all sorts of videos. It's one of those books that consists entirely of quotes/comments from artists, rock critics/writers, the executives that came up with and ran MTV and some of the original VJs (Nina and Alan). It's an eclectic mix of artists that are interviewed. It really was one of those books that I couldn't put down and it pretty much covered every angle of MTV. Even the controversial stuff like breaking the color barrier, etc. Thankfully, it does not get into anything past, say, 86 or so, which is when I quit watching MTV. If you were like me, though, and spent hours watching videos when MTV came out, you'll like the book.

I, too, would love to know what Tommy's response was.

Awesome! I was an absolute addict to MTV when it started, and I quit watching around 86, as well. (Also stopped listening to current radio about that time, but that's a different story.) I will definitely make time for this book.

As for the whole Roboto mess, I remember the very first time I heard the song on the radio, and it makes me laugh. My story is exactly like Todd's tale--the song premiered on Cleveland radio (his in Chicago) around 2 AM. Why that time, I have no idea, but I remember the DJ's announcing it and I stayed up to hear it. Even taped it. After the song finished, I recall thinking, "Now, just what the hell was that??" I saw the live show in September '83 (rescheduled from the original date in July because of Tommy's injury) at Blossom Music Center and again, I walked away thinking, "What the hell was that?" Oh, I understood the concept, all right, but it was not at all what I expected, or even liked, from my favorite band. I think my overwhelming feeling at the time was one of embarrassment for (most of) the guys. All I really wanted was to see a rock show, not a cringe-worthy movie and bad acting.

[mrbluesman]

Cassie Mae, it wasn't just any Cleveland station, it was WMMS, the Home of the Buzzard (also in its final days of glory back then). M-105 was gone and WNCX and WONE not yet up and running. It's funny you mention that Cleveland Blossom show as I had seen them at the Coliseum in March 81 on PT Tour and it was, to this day, one of the best concerts I've ever been to. After hearing Roboto and the Kilroy album, I simply ignored the Blossom show and, truthfully, Styx for the next several years. Honestly, I can say, never had a band fallen so far, so fast in my mind before.

[brywool]

Forgive me if this has been discussed before. I did a search and couldn't find it, but, search engines are only as good as the person inputting the query. Just finished a great book called "MTV Ruled The World." by Greg Prato In a chapter called "When Music Video Attacks," several artists discuss music videos that hurt or killed a musician's career. Billy Squier's "Rock Me Tonite" gets the lion's share of discussion. But, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard brings up our favorite lead singer, DDY, as follows:

The poor guys in Styx have got to live with that fu#%ing 'Mr. Roboto' thing for the rest of their lives. They can blame the singer who's gone now. I always hated Dennis DeYoung. I thought he was a complete nob-head. But, the rest of the guys are lovely. Thank God they've got Lawrence [Gowan] in the band now. I mean, I've sat down with Tommy [Shaw] over a cappuccino, and said, 'What the hell were you guys thinking, man? It's just fu#%ing ridiculous. There's no redeeming factors to it at all. Styx were a great band. But grown men wearing robot suits and walking around like a robot .... what the f#%k is that all about? It's more ridiculous than anything we ever did.

Not that I think Joe Elliott is an expert on anything, but, he makes some valid points. I question his stance on Gowan and the fact that Roboto was more ridiculous than anything Def Leppard did, but, other than that ..... Now, I do not personally know DDY or any member of Styx. I have repeatedly said that I fall more on the side of Tommy and JY that DDY but I think Styx was at its absolute best when he was with them. I also think he has more talent in one finger than Gowan has in his whole body. That having been said, I think it's interesting that you've got a rock and roll guy that says what a lot of people around here say, that is, that DDY is an ass. I have always said that the day I stopped listening to Styx was the day I listened to "Kilroy." The Roboto video was ridiculous.

You either get the concept or you don't, and that certainly doesn't make DDY an asshole because of it. He's admitted in the past that he could be difficult, and that he somewhat dragged them into the whole Roboto thing. It was ahead of it's time back then, before the advent of Tipper Gore's PMRC. Joe Elliot's obviously a fan of the current line up, and that's his bag. I will take his opinion as just that, an opinion.

The CONCEPT of Kilroy was very good. The PROBLEM was that Mr. Roboto, as a song, put Styx in the same category as Weird Al Yankovik. And that was the song they pushed as the single. Imagine Kilroy WITHOUT Mr. Roboto. It would've been a MUCH better concept and would've most likely been received better. Having said that, it IS a fun song to play and sing. But to have to hang your hat on it for the rest of your band's career IS a drag for the guys that weren't part of it. If you listen closely, I don't think there's another Styx member on it. Maybe there is, but it all sounds like Dennis to me.

[masque]

roboto is a classic example of a band being so popular and so huge that their "latest new single" becomes a hit because it's just supposed to becuase of the popularity of the band.....radio pushed it.....mtv pushed it because it was styx and styx was huge at the time.

i honestly believe that if that song had been released by a new unknown band it would have never taken off and been anything.

i'm not saying the song totally sucks and in some strange ways I actually sort of like it at times.....but it is no where near good enough to have been a top 20 single much less a top five single.....

i really cant imagine being tommy and jy sitting in a room when dennis walked in and says "hey guys our new album is gonna be about censorship and robots in a sci-fi setting and here is the first song i wrote about it all called mr. roboto".

yikes.

[Boomchild]

Forgive me if this has been discussed before. I did a search and couldn't find it, but, search engines are only as good as the person inputting the query. Just finished a great book called "MTV Ruled The World." by Greg Prato In a chapter called "When Music Video Attacks," several artists discuss music videos that hurt or killed a musician's career. Billy Squier's "Rock Me Tonite" gets the lion's share of discussion. But, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard brings up our favorite lead singer, DDY, as follows:

The poor guys in Styx have got to live with that fu#%ing 'Mr. Roboto' thing for the rest of their lives. They can blame the singer who's gone now. I always hated Dennis DeYoung. I thought he was a complete nob-head. But, the rest of the guys are lovely. Thank God they've got Lawrence [Gowan] in the band now. I mean, I've sat down with Tommy [Shaw] over a cappuccino, and said, 'What the hell were you guys thinking, man? It's just fu#%ing ridiculous. There's no redeeming factors to it at all. Styx were a great band. But grown men wearing robot suits and walking around like a robot .... what the f#%k is that all about? It's more ridiculous than anything we ever did.

Not that I think Joe Elliott is an expert on anything, but, he makes some valid points. I question his stance on Gowan and the fact that Roboto was more ridiculous than anything Def Leppard did, but, other than that ..... Now, I do not personally know DDY or any member of Styx. I have repeatedly said that I fall more on the side of Tommy and JY that DDY but I think Styx was at its absolute best when he was with them. I also think he has more talent in one finger than Gowan has in his whole body. That having been said, I think it's interesting that you've got a rock and roll guy that says what a lot of people around here say, that is, that DDY is an ass. I have always said that the day I stopped listening to Styx was the day I listened to "Kilroy." The Roboto video was ridiculous.

You either get the concept or you don't, and that certainly doesn't make DDY an asshole because of it. He's admitted in the past that he could be difficult, and that he somewhat dragged them into the whole Roboto thing. It was ahead of it's time back then, before the advent of Tipper Gore's PMRC. Joe Elliot's obviously a fan of the current line up, and that's his bag. I will take his opinion as just that, an opinion.

The CONCEPT of Kilroy was very good. The PROBLEM was that Mr. Roboto, as a song, put Styx in the same category as Weird Al Yankovik. And that was the song they pushed as the single. Imagine Kilroy WITHOUT Mr. Roboto. It would've been a MUCH better concept and would've most likely been received better. Having said that, it IS a fun song to play and sing. But to have to hang your hat on it for the rest of your band's career IS a drag for the guys that weren't part of it. If you listen closely, I don't think there's another Styx member on it. Maybe there is, but it all sounds like Dennis to me.

If it is such a "drag" for the guys that weren't part of it, then maybe they should have joined a different band. It's not as if they didn't know about Roboto and KWH before they joined Styx.

[mrbluesman]

If it is such a "drag" for the guys that weren't part of it, then maybe they should have joined a different band. It's not as if they didn't know about Roboto and KWH before they joined Styx.

As to the new guys, I get your point and I think the answer is that they just don't play songs from that album. As to Tommy and JJY, I believe they did the next best thing and disbanded the band after KWH. Tommy quit almost as soon as the tour ended and, in fact, wanted out while the tour was still going on. Of course, I'm sure they didn't give any of the money that they made from the album back. I just don't understand this defense of KWH-it wasn't very good then and it's not very good now.

[Monker]

Forgive me if this has been discussed before. I did a search and couldn't find it, but, search engines are only as good as the person inputting the query. Just finished a great book called "MTV Ruled The World." by Greg Prato In a chapter called "When Music Video Attacks," several artists discuss music videos that hurt or killed a musician's career. Billy Squier's "Rock Me Tonite" gets the lion's share of discussion. But, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard brings up our favorite lead singer, DDY, as follows:

The poor guys in Styx have got to live with that fu#%ing 'Mr. Roboto' thing for the rest of their lives. They can blame the singer who's gone now. I always hated Dennis DeYoung. I thought he was a complete nob-head. But, the rest of the guys are lovely. Thank God they've got Lawrence [Gowan] in the band now. I mean, I've sat down with Tommy [Shaw] over a cappuccino, and said, 'What the hell were you guys thinking, man? It's just fu#%ing ridiculous. There's no redeeming factors to it at all. Styx were a great band. But grown men wearing robot suits and walking around like a robot .... what the f#%k is that all about? It's more ridiculous than anything we ever did.

Not that I think Joe Elliott is an expert on anything, but, he makes some valid points. I question his stance on Gowan and the fact that Roboto was more ridiculous than anything Def Leppard did, but, other than that ..... Now, I do not personally know DDY or any member of Styx. I have repeatedly said that I fall more on the side of Tommy and JY that DDY but I think Styx was at its absolute best when he was with them. I also think he has more talent in one finger than Gowan has in his whole body. That having been said, I think it's interesting that you've got a rock and roll guy that says what a lot of people around here say, that is, that DDY is an ass. I have always said that the day I stopped listening to Styx was the day I listened to "Kilroy." The Roboto video was ridiculous.

You either get the concept or you don't, and that certainly doesn't make DDY an asshole because of it. He's admitted in the past that he could be difficult, and that he somewhat dragged them into the whole Roboto thing. It was ahead of it's time back then, before the advent of Tipper Gore's PMRC. Joe Elliot's obviously a fan of the current line up, and that's his bag. I will take his opinion as just that, an opinion.

The CONCEPT of Kilroy was very good. The PROBLEM was that Mr. Roboto, as a song, put Styx in the same category as Weird Al Yankovik. And that was the song they pushed as the single. Imagine Kilroy WITHOUT Mr. Roboto. It would've been a MUCH better concept and would've most likely been received better. Having said that, it IS a fun song to play and sing. But to have to hang your hat on it for the rest of your band's career IS a drag for the guys that weren't part of it. If you listen closely, I don't think there's another Styx member on it. Maybe there is, but it all sounds like Dennis to me.

If it is such a "drag" for the guys that weren't part of it, then maybe they should have joined a different band. It's not as if they didn't know about Roboto and KWH before they joined Styx.

If you and Mr. B read the post, you would see that Bry was saying the guys that weren't part of it were; Tommy, JY , Chuck and John.

[mrbluesman]

If you and Mr. B read the post, you would see that Bry was saying the guys that weren't part of it were; Tommy, JY , Chuck and John.

I understood Bry's point and agree with it. I was merely responding to Boomchild's post.

[Rockwriter]

Forgive me if this has been discussed before. I did a search and couldn't find it, but, search engines are only as good as the person inputting the query. Just finished a great book called "MTV Ruled The World." by Greg Prato In a chapter called "When Music Video Attacks," several artists discuss music videos that hurt or killed a musician's career. Billy Squier's "Rock Me Tonite" gets the lion's share of discussion. But, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard brings up our favorite lead singer, DDY, as follows:

The poor guys in Styx have got to live with that fu#%ing 'Mr. Roboto' thing for the rest of their lives. They can blame the singer who's gone now. I always hated Dennis DeYoung. I thought he was a complete nob-head. But, the rest of the guys are lovely. Thank God they've got Lawrence [Gowan] in the band now. I mean, I've sat down with Tommy [Shaw] over a cappuccino, and said, 'What the hell were you guys thinking, man? It's just fu#%ing ridiculous. There's no redeeming factors to it at all. Styx were a great band. But grown men wearing robot suits and walking around like a robot .... what the f#%k is that all about? It's more ridiculous than anything we ever did.

Not that I think Joe Elliott is an expert on anything, but, he makes some valid points. I question his stance on Gowan and the fact that Roboto was more ridiculous than anything Def Leppard did, but, other than that ..... Now, I do not personally know DDY or any member of Styx. I have repeatedly said that I fall more on the side of Tommy and JY that DDY but I think Styx was at its absolute best when he was with them. I also think he has more talent in one finger than Gowan has in his whole body. That having been said, I think it's interesting that you've got a rock and roll guy that says what a lot of people around here say, that is, that DDY is an ass. I have always said that the day I stopped listening to Styx was the day I listened to "Kilroy." The Roboto video was ridiculous.

Just to see if maybe time had blurred my memories or my thoughts, I went on YT and watched Roboto again. It really is awful. Not as bad as "Music Time" but awful, nonetheless. For the hell of it, I also watched "Rock Me Tonite" again. The real question there is what the hell was Billy Squier thinking. No wonder that video virtually killed his career (and it was a nice rock and roll song).

This opinion, of course, coming from the guy who sang, "Step inside, walk this way/You and me, babe/Hey hey," LOL.


Sterling

[Boomchild]

Forgive me if this has been discussed before. I did a search and couldn't find it, but, search engines are only as good as the person inputting the query. Just finished a great book called "MTV Ruled The World." by Greg Prato In a chapter called "When Music Video Attacks," several artists discuss music videos that hurt or killed a musician's career. Billy Squier's "Rock Me Tonite" gets the lion's share of discussion. But, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard brings up our favorite lead singer, DDY, as follows:

The poor guys in Styx have got to live with that fu#%ing 'Mr. Roboto' thing for the rest of their lives. They can blame the singer who's gone now. I always hated Dennis DeYoung. I thought he was a complete nob-head. But, the rest of the guys are lovely. Thank God they've got Lawrence [Gowan] in the band now. I mean, I've sat down with Tommy [Shaw] over a cappuccino, and said, 'What the hell were you guys thinking, man? It's just fu#%ing ridiculous. There's no redeeming factors to it at all. Styx were a great band. But grown men wearing robot suits and walking around like a robot .... what the f#%k is that all about? It's more ridiculous than anything we ever did.

Not that I think Joe Elliott is an expert on anything, but, he makes some valid points. I question his stance on Gowan and the fact that Roboto was more ridiculous than anything Def Leppard did, but, other than that ..... Now, I do not personally know DDY or any member of Styx. I have repeatedly said that I fall more on the side of Tommy and JY that DDY but I think Styx was at its absolute best when he was with them. I also think he has more talent in one finger than Gowan has in his whole body. That having been said, I think it's interesting that you've got a rock and roll guy that says what a lot of people around here say, that is, that DDY is an ass. I have always said that the day I stopped listening to Styx was the day I listened to "Kilroy." The Roboto video was ridiculous.

Just to see if maybe time had blurred my memories or my thoughts, I went on YT and watched Roboto again. It really is awful. Not as bad as "Music Time" but awful, nonetheless. For the hell of it, I also watched "Rock Me Tonite" again. The real question there is what the hell was Billy Squier thinking. No wonder that video virtually killed his career (and it was a nice rock and roll song).

This opinion, of course, coming from the guy who sang, "Step inside, walk this way/You and me, babe/Hey hey," LOL.


Sterling

Dennis has more musical talent in the tip of his pinkie finger then Joe has in his whole body.

[Cassie May]

Cassie Mae, it wasn't just any Cleveland station, it was WMMS, the Home of the Buzzard (also in its final days of glory back then). M-105 was gone and WNCX and WONE not yet up and running. It's funny you mention that Cleveland Blossom show as I had seen them at the Coliseum in March 81 on PT Tour and it was, to this day, one of the best concerts I've ever been to. After hearing Roboto and the Kilroy album, I simply ignored the Blossom show and, truthfully, Styx for the next several years. Honestly, I can say, never had a band fallen so far, so fast in my mind before.

Yes! It was MMS! Out of curiosity, I looked through my tapes and found the one with the Roboto recording, and I had labeled it with MMS. I grew up in Cuyahoga Falls and loved Cleveland radio back in the day. MMS was untouchable.

I also saw Styx at the Coliseum for the PT tour. Cornerstone, too (it was my first rock concert). Those were the days. I gave up on Styx for years after the Kilroy album and got back into them maybe 10 years ago or so. Nice to see another NE Ohioan here!

[pinkfloyd1973]

This opinion, of course, coming from the guy who sang, "Step inside, walk this way/You and me, babe/Hey hey," LOL.


Sterling

Dennis has more musical talent in the tip of his pinkie finger then Joe has in his whole body.

LMAO, but they were kewl to see back around the end of my high school days (early 90's)

[Boomchild]

This opinion, of course, coming from the guy who sang, "Step inside, walk this way/You and me, babe/Hey hey," LOL.


Sterling

Dennis has more musical talent in the tip of his pinkie finger then Joe has in his whole body.

LMAO, but they were kewl to see back around the end of my high school days (early 90's)

I do like that classic Def Lep stuff. My comment was more to DDY and Joe as individuals. DDY's singing ability is miles ahead of Joe both then and now. I recently listened to Def Lep's newest live release. Joe's voice is so thrashed now it was painful for me to listen to him. Also, Def Leo has been known to use prerecorded backing vocals to shore up their live performances. That's something Dennis nor Styx has had to do.

[FormerDJMike]

Also keep in mind that Styx didn't want it released as a single, A&M did. That might be way they had "single power" on Edge, picking the first single as "Ritual" wasn't A^M's first choice on that release.

[bugsymalone]

There was such a gap between an interesting concept and the realization of it. At the time, I was sort of fascinated by the song and some of the videos released, but have since looked back and realized the cheese factor was rather high.

I honestly think Styx was not much of a respected band long before KWH, but it sort of cemented their name as not-to-be-taken-seriously. Even though all of what went on into creating KWH was an intelligent concept, it never really got anywhere near its potential.

I am a big fan of DDY's because he was and is theatrical, and stage shows -- rock, pop, country, or whatever -- are, at their heart, theatrical and often way over the top. It is the nature of the beast that is live performing. There were many, many things that could have been done with the Kilroy concept that simply weren't, so we are left with what it was.

"Mr. Roboto" is now considered a camp classic and that is not very much a label a "rock" band likes applied to their name. Dennis embraces it for many reasons, of course, but largely because it is a huge audience favorite at his shows.

I find very little to like with the current lineup (Yeah, ok, alert the media.), but I fully appreciate their not wishing to slot this song into their shows.

Bugsy

[yogi]

NEVER liked Roboto but the song fit the concept. High Time was BRUTAL was released as a single (tanked) but this horrible song also fit the concept. Cold War TOTAL trash and Dont Let It End was the worst soft Styx song EVER. It didnt fit the concept and for some unknown reason was a major hit even though it was an AWEFUL song. The entire side 1 of that album 'Blew Chunks'

Side 2 was GREAT. Both JY and Tommy had some of their BEST Styx moments on that album side.

The Kilroy concept was GREAT. Dennis is a Genius. The tour was TREMENDOUS!! They played almost EVERY hit during that tour(why they chose not to play Renegade is beyond me), plus the Kilroy album songs they felt fit the concept.

I loved the Kilroy tour what I didnt like was the blasted side 1 of that album. So be it.


P.S. Bugsy - I think Roboto would fit perfectly into Styx's new revised plans to 'do all things skating'. ( Ice Capades, Skateboards, Rollarblades & Rollar Rinks)

[Baron Von Bielski]

This opinion, of course, coming from the guy who sang, "Step inside, walk this way/You and me, babe/Hey hey," LOL.


Sterling

Dennis has more musical talent in the tip of his pinkie finger then Joe has in his whole body.

LMAO, but they were kewl to see back around the end of my high school days (early 90's)

I do like that classic Def Lep stuff. My comment was more to DDY and Joe as individuals. DDY's singing ability is miles ahead of Joe both then and now. I recently listened to Def Lep's newest live release. Joe's voice is so thrashed now it was painful for me to listen to him. Also, Def Leo has been known to use prerecorded backing vocals to shore up their live performances. That's something Dennis nor Styx has had to do.

Miles ahead indeed. Joe hasn't been able to "sing" in years. Hell, Phil Collen has a much better voice. Don't get me wrong, I love Def Leppard... I have for almost 30 years... but I just think he shouldn't be criticizing anyone. He lives in another world thinking he can maybe get Def Leppard spoken in the same breath as Led Zepplin and the Rolling Stones (his words). Even with two diamond albums... they'll never be there.

[brywool]

If it is such a "drag" for the guys that weren't part of it, then maybe they should have joined a different band. It's not as if they didn't know about Roboto and KWH before they joined Styx.

Um, wow, so in 1968 when JY joined Styx and in 1975 when Tommy did, they should've already known Roboto was coming in 1983....

yeah... mmkay.....

The comment wasn't "What were Gowan and Burtnik thinking?" it was "What were YOU GUYS thinking?" "You Guys" being STYX at that time. Ever dealt with a strong personality Boomchild? There are people that can sell anything to anybody simply by their faith in the idea. Like I said, cool concept. The "Heavy Metal Poisoning" video and the whole Kilroy film were two of the coolest things the band did. Totally political and prophetic too as I think it was way before the PMRC but was totally about religion and morality dictating what people should like and how they should be. To me, that's a great concept. The FAILURE was that Mr. Roboto was the song that was pushed and quite frankly, while musically cool, the lyrics were so weird that NOBODY that didn't KNOW about the concept would get it. Then, to have the band out there acting it out just wasn't their thing. Having said that, JY in particular seemed to do well with the whole Dr. Righteous character. He did a GREAT job on it even in their live shows. Tommy though was CLEARLY uncomfortable doing it.

What Styx SHOULD have done, was they should've written a song that EXPLAINED their whole concept but in 1983 terms so that people would actually "get" what they were talking about. Us Styx fans got it and understood it because we read the album story- remember albums and text on the albums? ah, those were the days.... The public at large did not get it because Mr. Roboto was taken completely out of context.

[Cassie May]

NEVER liked Roboto but the song fit the concept. High Time was BRUTAL was released as a single (tanked) but this horrible song also fit the concept. Cold War TOTAL trash and Dont Let It End was the worst soft Styx song EVER. It didnt fit the concept and for some unknown reason was a major hit even though it was an AWEFUL song. The entire side 1 of that album 'Blew Chunks'

Side 2 was GREAT. Both JY and Tommy had some of their BEST Styx moments on that album side.

The Kilroy concept was GREAT. Dennis is a Genius. The tour was TREMENDOUS!! They played almost EVERY hit during that tour(why they chose not to play Renegade is beyond me), plus the Kilroy album songs they felt fit the concept.

I loved the Kilroy tour what I didnt like was the blasted side 1 of that album. So be it.


P.S. Bugsy - I think Roboto would fit perfectly into Styx's new revised plans to 'do all things skating'. ( Ice Capades, Skateboards, Rollarblades & Rollar Rinks)

They played "Renegade." Toward the end of the show, it was when the band was "arrested" by the MMM. Then came the closing monologues between Tommy and Dennis, and "Haven't We Been Here Before."

[Everett]

If it is such a "drag" for the guys that weren't part of it, then maybe they should have joined a different band. It's not as if they didn't know about Roboto and KWH before they joined Styx.

Um, wow, so in 1968 when JY joined Styx and in 1975 when Tommy did, they should've already known Roboto was coming in 1983....

yeah... mmkay.....

The comment wasn't "What were Gowan and Burtnik thinking?" it was "What were YOU GUYS thinking?" "You Guys" being STYX at that time. Ever dealt with a strong personality Boomchild? There are people that can sell anything to anybody simply by their faith in the idea. Like I said, cool concept. The "Heavy Metal Poisoning" video and the whole Kilroy film were two of the coolest things the band did. Totally political and prophetic too as I think it was way before the PMRC but was totally about religion and morality dictating what people should like and how they should be. To me, that's a great concept. The FAILURE was that Mr. Roboto was the song that was pushed and quite frankly, while musically cool, the lyrics were so weird that NOBODY that didn't KNOW about the concept would get it. Then, to have the band out there acting it out just wasn't their thing. Having said that, JY in particular seemed to do well with the whole Dr. Righteous character. He did a GREAT job on it even in their live shows. Tommy though was CLEARLY uncomfortable doing it.

What Styx SHOULD have done, was they should've written a song that EXPLAINED their whole concept but in 1983 terms so that people would actually "get" what they were talking about. Us Styx fans got it and understood it because we read the album story- remember albums and text on the albums? ah, those were the days.... The public at large did not get it because Mr. Roboto was taken completely out of context.

Um bry JY joined in 1970

[mrbluesman]

but I just think he shouldn't be criticizing anyone

This opinion, of course, coming from the guy who sang, "Step inside, walk this way/You and me, babe/Hey hey,"

His voice may be gone, he may have added some body weight, Def Leppard may never be on the same level as Zep or the Stones (lyrically or musically), but, he has a point, Def Leppard never put a video out with "grown men wearing robot suits and walking around like a robot ."

[mrbluesman]

Cassie May, I was born and lived in Cleveland until I was about 8. Dad lived there until he passed away. I've pretty much lived in Youngstown (or a suburb of Ytown) since I was 15. I did go to college for 2 years, there, in the mid 80s (finished here in Ytown and went to Law School in Akron). Was always in Cleveland visiting my Dad. You have to love NE Ohio. Yesterday when I woke up, it was 27 degrees. Last night, here, at 3:30 a.m., it was 55 degrees and the rain was coming down in buckets. This morning at 8:00, it was 32 degrees and snowing. Nothing like NE Ohio.

Spent much of my youth going to shows at Blossom or the Coliseum. Cleveland was a great place for music back then.

[mr.v]

NEVER liked Roboto but the song fit the concept. High Time was BRUTAL was released as a single (tanked) but this horrible song also fit the concept. Cold War TOTAL trash and Dont Let It End was the worst soft Styx song EVER. It didnt fit the concept and for some unknown reason was a major hit even though it was an AWEFUL song. The entire side 1 of that album 'Blew Chunks'

Side 2 was GREAT. Both JY and Tommy had some of their BEST Styx moments on that album side.

The Kilroy concept was GREAT. Dennis is a Genius. The tour was TREMENDOUS!! They played almost EVERY hit during that tour(why they chose not to play Renegade is beyond me), plus the Kilroy album songs they felt fit the concept.

I loved the Kilroy tour what I didnt like was the blasted side 1 of that album. So be it.


P.S. Bugsy - I think Roboto would fit perfectly into Styx's new revised plans to 'do all things skating'. ( Ice Capades, Skateboards, Rollarblades & Rollar Rinks)

They played "Renegade." Toward the end of the show, it was when the band was "arrested" by the MMM. Then came the closing monologues between Tommy and Dennis, and "Haven't We Been Here Before."

Renegade was played when I saw them as well. The "HIT" that was left out was "Lady". At lease that was the case at the show I saw.

[masque]

NEVER liked Roboto but the song fit the concept. High Time was BRUTAL was released as a single (tanked) but this horrible song also fit the concept. Cold War TOTAL trash and Dont Let It End was the worst soft Styx song EVER. It didnt fit the concept and for some unknown reason was a major hit even though it was an AWEFUL song. The entire side 1 of that album 'Blew Chunks'

Side 2 was GREAT. Both JY and Tommy had some of their BEST Styx moments on that album side.

The Kilroy concept was GREAT. Dennis is a Genius. The tour was TREMENDOUS!! They played almost EVERY hit during that tour(why they chose not to play Renegade is beyond me), plus the Kilroy album songs they felt fit the concept.

I loved the Kilroy tour what I didnt like was the blasted side 1 of that album. So be it.


P.S. Bugsy - I think Roboto would fit perfectly into Styx's new revised plans to 'do all things skating'. ( Ice Capades, Skateboards, Rollarblades & Rollar Rinks)

They played "Renegade." Toward the end of the show, it was when the band was "arrested" by the MMM. Then came the closing monologues between Tommy and Dennis, and "Haven't We Been Here Before."

yep

[masque]

but I just think he shouldn't be criticizing anyone

This opinion, of course, coming from the guy who sang, "Step inside, walk this way/You and me, babe/Hey hey,"

His voice may be gone, he may have added some body weight, Def Leppard may never be on the same level as Zep or the Stones (lyrically or musically), but, he has a point, Def Leppard never put a video out with "grown men wearing robot suits and walking around like a robot ."

def lep is whole lot closer to being led zep or the stones than ddy or styx and styx is my fave band.....worldwide def lep has had tremendous success and in america....wow in america they have the distinct bragging rights of having been awarded two diamonds from the RIAA for pyromania and hysteria....only a handful of bands in music history have achieved those kinds of sales. so joe elliot, like him or hate him, has the right and my ear when it comes to commenting on other bands. i think he's earned it.